Crosslinked protein polymers as humectants

Abstract

The present invention relates to a series of novel crosslinked polymers. The compounds of the present invention are prepared by the reaction of chloracetic acid with a pendant hydroxyl group which is present on a polyoxyalkylene polymer, followed by the reaction of the halo-ester with a protein or amino acid to give a crosslinked protein compound. In a preferred embodiment the polyoxyalkylene glycol has been prepared by the reaction of both ethylene oxide and propylene oxide. In a more preferred embodiment, the ethylene oxide is at the terminal portion of the molecule and the propylene oxide is in the center. The proteins of the present invention plate out on the surface of hair skin and once dry act as humectants, trapping moisture to the hair. This results in hair which is fuller, has less static and is cosmetically more appealing. This combination of properties makes these polymers ideally suited for use in personal care applications.

What is claimed: 
     
       1. A crosslinked protein polymer prepared by the reaction of an intermediate conforming to the following structure:   R.sup.1 --O--[--CH.sub.2 --CH.sub.2 --O].sub.a --[--CH(CH.sub.3)--CH.sub.2 --O].sub.b --[--CH.sub.2 --CH.sub.2 O].sub.c [--CH.sub.2 --CH(CH.sub.3)--O].sub.d --R.sup.1     wherein;   R 1  is --C(O)--CH 2  --Cl   a, b c and d are independently integers from 0 to 100, with the proviso that a+b+c+d be greater than 2; with an amino acid source compound selected from the group consisting of a protein or an amino acid, said reaction carried out in aqueous solution at a concentration of between 20 and 80% solids and at a temperature of between 40° and 100° C.   
     
     
       2. A crosslinked protein polymer of claim 1 wherein a is 0. 
     
     
       3. A crosslinked protein polymer of claim 1 wherein b, c, and d are each zero. 
     
     
       4. A crosslinked protein polymer of claim 1 wherein a, c and d are each zero. 
     
     
       5. A crosslinked protein polymer of claim 1 wherein d is 0. 
     
     
       6. A crosslinked protein polymer of claim 1 wherein said protein is a hyrolyzed wheat protein. 
     
     
       7. A crosslinked protein polymer of claim 1 wherein said protein is an oat protein. 
     
     
       8. A crosslinked protein polymer of claim 1 wherein said protein is a soya protein. 
     
     
       9. A crosslinked protein polymer of claim 1 wherein said protein is hydrolyzed collagen. 
     
     
       10. A crosslinked protein polymer of claim 1 wherein said protein is hydrolyzed keratin. 
     
     
       11. A crosslinked protein polymer of claim 1 wherein said protein is placental protein. 
     
     
       12. A process for treating hair which comprises contacting the hair with an effective conditioning amount of a crosslinked protein polymer prepared by the reaction of an intermediate conforming to the following structure:   R.sup.1 --O--[--CH.sub.2 --CH.sub.2 --O].sub.a --[--CH(CH.sub.3)--CH.sub.2 O].sub.b --[--CH.sub.2 --CH.sub.2 --O].sub.c [--CH.sub.2 --CH(CH.sub.3)--O].sub.d --R.sup.1     wherein;   R 1  is --C(O)--CH 2  --Cl   a, b c and d are independently integers from 0 to 100, with the proviso that a+b+c+d be greater than 2; with an amino acid source compound selected form the group consisting of a protein or an amino acid, said reaction carried out in aqueous solution at a concentration of between 20 and 80% solids and at a temperature of between 40° and 100° C.   
     
     
       13. A process of claim 12 wherein a is 0. 
     
     
       14. A process of claim 12 wherein b, c, and d are each zero. 
     
     
       15. A process of claim 12 wherein a, c and d are each zero. 
     
     
       16. A process of claim 12 wherein d is 0.